(Voice of the Persecuted) 8 Christian ministries have joined together to initiate and invite Christians to join on a 24 hour prayer conference call for an American pastor imprisoned for his faith in Turkey. “We feel an urgency to cover and lift Andrew in prayer before court proceedings continue in his trial next Monday, May 7th”, the ministry leaders said. The call will begin Saturday, May 5 at 9pm and will continue uninterrupted through Sunday, May 6 at 9pm (Call access information and details below). International callers are also encouraged to join.

Andrew Brunson, who pastored a church in Izmir, Turkey, was arrested shortly after the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016. Brunson has been detained for 18 months. On Friday (Apr. 27), U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for Pastor Brunson’s release while speaking with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusogluon. However, previous attempts made by American officials have been unsuccessful in securing his release. What should our response be about the persecution this pastor, our brother in Christ, is suffering?

In Hebrews 13:3 we’re asked, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” In this verse, those being described as in prison and being mistreated are Christians experiencing persecution for their faith. The verse also highlights the oneness we should feel as believers in the Body of Christ.

As the next court date draws near, let us not forget the importance of the call in Hebrews 13:3. Brothers and sisters, continue to remember our brother, Andrew Brunson, in our prayers. His family and also the thousands of brothers and sisters imprisoned for their faith throughout the world.

When one hears about the persecuted they may ask, “What can I do? I am only one person.” It’s simple, that person can pray. James reminds us that the prayer of a righteous person is very powerful and effective. (James 5:16).

Jesus says that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. For nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20).

Imagine one person who is righteous and has faith as small as a mustard seed. What can that person accomplish in their prayers? Then imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of intercessors with that same mustard seed faith. What can they accomplish in Christ through their prayers?

Please join us, next weekend, as we come together believing and praying for the release of our brother Andrew. Come believing and praying for the global persecuted church while praying God will act on their behalf.

Just as a father hears and answers the cries of his child. Let us trust that God will do great things through our prayers, as he has many times in the past and still doing today.

“If only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at your presence—just as fire kindles brushwood, and fire boils water—to make your name known to your enemies, so that nations will tremble at your presence! When you did awesome works that we did not expect, you who came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence. From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened to, no eye has seen any God except you who acts on behalf of the one who waits for him.” Isaiah 64:1-4 (CSB) (KJV version) BELIEVE!

UPDATE from the Brunson’s Facebook page (May 4, 2018):

Many important prayers have gone up, thank you so much! But…

THIS weekend is a time to simply worship at his footstool and call on the LORD MOST HIGH to come with his glory and to do spiritual battle for us. (There is a Friday evening through Monday evening fast – join in any way)

Please share this call with your church and all those who will pray!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Location: Any location from your phone

When: Begins May 5, 2018 – May 6, 2018

Length of call: 24 Hours (Note: You’re not required to commit to 24 hours. Come on the call and pray as your time allows.)

Time of the Call:

9 p.m.- 9 p.m. Eastern time

8 p.m.-8 p.m. Central time

7 p.m.-7 p.m. Mountain time

6 p.m.-6 p.m. Pacific time

Call number: 712.775.7035

Access code: 281207#

MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier.Google Play link or App Store – iTunes

Available International Conference Call Numbers

(Note: If you will be using one of the call numbers below, you may experience issues in your country. If you are unable to connect, try using the VoIP dialer available at this link. Click on VoIP dialer, go to this number 712-775-7035 in the drop down menu—enter access code 281207 (do not add the # symbol)—enter your name and click on the ‘Place Call’ button.

Australia +61 (0) 3 8672 0185

Austria +43 (0) 732 2781155

Belgium +32 (0) 9 324 29 17

Brazil +55 61 4040-4314

Bulgaria +359 (0) 2 495 1527

Canada (712) 775-7060

Chile +56 (0) 44 890 9161

China +86 (0) 510 6801 0117

Costa Rica +506 4000 3885

Croatia +385 (0) 1 8000 065

Cyprus +357 77 788854

Czech +420 225 852 060

Denmark +45 78 77 36 35

Dominican Republic (829) 999-2585

Estonia +372 614 8061

Finland +358 (0) 9 74790032

France +33 (0) 1 80 14 00 56

GCC/Arabian Peninsula +973 1656 8325

Georgia +995 (0) 706 777 110

Germany +49 (0) 89 143772955

Guatemala +502 2458 1416

Hungary +36 1 987 6821

Iceland +354 539 0323

Indonesia +62 (0) 21 51388813

Ireland +353 (0) 1 437 0318

Israel +972 (0) 76-599-0026

Italy +39 06 8997 2187

Japan +81 (0) 3-5050-5075

Kenya +254 (0) 20 5231033

Latvia +371 67 881 516

Lithuania +370 (8) 37 248962

Luxembourg +352 20 30 10 03

Malaysia +60 (0) 11-1146 0070

Mexico +52 (01) 899 274 5015

Netherlands +31 (0) 6 35205061

Nigeria +234 (0) 1 440 5221

Norway +47 21 93 53 35

Pakistan +92 (0) 21 37130640

Panama +507 838-7821

Poland +48 32 739 96 40

Portugal +351 21 114 3145

Romania +40 (0) 31 780 7760

Slovakia +421 2 333 255 32

Slovenia +386 (0) 1 828 03 25

South Africa +27 (0) 87 825 0107

South Korea +82 (0) 70-7686-0015

Spain +34 931 98 23 70

Sri Lanka +94 (0) 11 5 322961

Sweden +46 (0) 31 781 06 26

Switzerland +41 (0) 43 550 70 55

Taiwan +886 (0) 985 646 917

Turkey +90 (0) 212 988 1713

Ukraine +380 (0) 89 323 9978

United Kingdom +44 (0) 330 606 0527

United States (712) 775-7035

Vietnam +84 (0) 4 7108 0080

(Though not expected, due to circumstances beyond our control, connection may be lost. Simply call again to rejoin the call. Please let us know if you were unsuccessful getting on the call so we can address the issue with technical support.)

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Voice of the Persecuted Asian correspondent update report—Pakistan is the fifth most difficult country to live as a Christian, yet millions thrive and worship their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. April has been a brutal month for Pakistani Christians. ISIS has been on spree of kill and run incidents in Quetta where Christians have been targeted and killed for their faith.

ISIS killings in Quetta

In the beginning of April, four Christians were targeted in the Pakistani city of Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan province in Western Pakistan. Two men on motorcycle fired at a rickshaw carrying four family members. Three members of the family and the rickshaw driver were instantly killed but a child survived the attack and was quickly rushed to the hospital. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

While the community was still in shock, ISIS struck again on April 15th, 2018. Four men on motorcycles fired and killed two men in the neighborhood of Essa Nagri in Quetta. Three including two girls were injured and taken to the hospital.Asm Yaqoob, a 25 year old from Sialkot, was attacked on 17th April, 2018. Her Muslim suitor, Rizwan Gujjar wanted her to convert to Islam and marry him. Upon constant refusals, Rizwan Gujjar attacked her on April 17th throwing acid and dousing her in petrol and setting her alight. She was moved to Lahore’s Mayo Hospital with third degree burns which affected 90% of her body. After fighting for her life for over a week, she succumbed to her injuries on Monday, April 23rd. Her family not only suffers the heartbreak of her death, but now find themselves in financial hardship. Asm was the only bread winner in the family of 10.2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the food fight, I have finished the race, I have kept my faith. ”

Asma indeed lived according to this verse and kept her faith till the end.

Asma isn’t the only victim to this brutality. Every year about 700 Christian girls are kidnapped, raped and forcefully converted to Islam and unwillingly married to Muslim men.

Despite the reports, UNHCR continues to reject Pakistani Christians asylum seekers at an unprecedented rate stating that it’s safe for them to return in Pakistan. In the month of April, over 20 Pakistani Christian families have been refused and their files closed by the UNHCR in Thailand. It’s appalling that the UN believes their safety isn’t a concern in Pakistan.

May God open their eyes and give them passion to understand the plight of His people.

VOP is on the ground in Thailand. Please Join hands with us to spread the love of Jesus. Keep us in your prayers as we try to raise the needed funds for the relief mission. If you feel led to help, please consider our mission and donate, today. Go with us to Thailand through your blessings to share with these dear brothers and sisters who have suffered enormously. God bless you and your families.

HELP SAVE THE PERSECUTED

Together with your generous help, we can reach the goal to alleviate horrific suffering. In darkness and desperation, let us serve in love, with open arms and giving hands to provide light and hope.

Every day, we thank God that He is working through you to care for His children and to further His Kingdom! As you greatly bless others, may God continue to bless you. Thank you so much for your support. We couldn’t do it without you!
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Qom, arguably the most Islamic city in Iran, is a socially and religiously conflicted city where house churches are hunted down and conversion to Christianity is viewed as an action against national security.

Mohabat News reports Christianity has been growing at an exponential rate in the last couple of decades in Iran, causing the Islamic government a great deal of concern. In a most recent expression of their distress, one of the high profile Islamic seminary officials, Ayatollah Alavi Boroujerdi, stated “accurate reports indicate that the youth are becoming Christians in Qom and attending house churches”.
However, this is not a new development. Earlier reports had also shown a surprising rise in the number of Iranians turning away from Islam and converting to Christianity.

One of the most senior Islamic Shi’ite clerics who has repeatedly expressed his concern over the spread of Christianity among the youth in the country is Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi. He, as well as most of his colleagues blame the foreign influence for the conversion of young Iranians to Christianity. The question that comes up however, is that what could be the real cause for Iranian youths’ rejection of Islam and its principles, despite the serious risks involved with conversion to Christianity in an Islamic country such as Iran?

This high rate of conversion of Iranian youth to Christianity is in spite of rigorous Islamic indoctrination of the youth in their families and educational system. The Islamic government of Iran dedicates massive budgets to the support of Islamic organizations that promote Islam among the youth within and without Iran’s borders. Such efforts to attract Iranian youth is much more noticeable in Islamic cities such as Mashhad and Qom. Regardless of such efforts, Iranian youth seem to become increasingly distant from Islam, which is a cause of great concern for the Iranian Islamic government.

Last year, after Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi expressed his deepest concern over the popularity of Christianity in the suburbs of Mashhad, the city’s religious and political officials immediately sent a vast number of Islamic teachers and preachers to Mashhad’s suburbs in order to turn the youth away from Christianity. The next phase in dealing with this matter was to crack down on the youth who refused to turn back following the efforts of Islamic teachers and preachers. The Iranian law enforcement and intelligence ministry got involved and began waves of arrests and harassment of Christian converts, facing them with long term prison sentences and heavy bails for their temporary release.

Another Iranian Ayatollah, Wahid Khorasani expressed concerns over the spread of Christianity in the country. He said he had received reports about the exponential increase in popularity of Christianity amongst the youth in the Islamic city of Qom. He criticized government authorities “for their negligence in preparing counteracting strategies to stop the spread of Christianity. In his remarks eight years ago, he had encouraged the government authorities to develop a coherent strategy to eradicate Christianity in Iran.
Another Ayatollah, based in Tabriz, stated he had received reports that at one time, 600 residents of one of the cities in Khorasan province had converted to Christianity.

These harsh remarks years ago, led to a rigorous crackdown campaign against the Iranian Christian community, resulting in arrests, imprisonments and disbanding of a number of house church gatherings.

— Failure of Islamic Authorities’ Efforts to Stop the Spread of Christianity

The Iranian Islamic government implemented a two fold plan to stop the spread of Christianity in the country, and it has failed on both fronts.
The first front was the allocation of millions of dollars for Islamic propaganda across the country, which over the years has proven to be ineffective as Iranian youth seem to be distancing themselves from the Islamic lifestyle the Iranian government wishes to spread.
The second front, in which the Iranian government’s Islamic agenda has failed is their crackdown campaign on newly converted Christians in order to plant fear in those who are interested in learning more about Christianity and possibly becoming Christians themselves. This failure is obvious as Iranian Islamic authorities continue to express their concern over the rapid growth of Christianity in the country.

In recent years many Iranian Christian converts have been arrested. However, the rate of growth of house churches in the country has been exponential, despite a mass exodus of Iranian Christians.
In this regard, Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, one of the high profile Iranian Islamic figures, wrote in a paper a few years ago, “There was a time when Islamic institutions in Qom were sufficient to counter the spread of Christianity in our city. However, today we do not have any Islamic institution in Qom that can stop Christian evangelism effectively”. In his remarks he also referred to the son of one of the Islamic clerics as having become a Christian.
In a report released seven years ago, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards identified 200 house churches in the Islamic city of Mashhad. Other reports indicate this number has grown significantly ever since. Mashhad is known as the Islamic capital of Iran and the Shi’ite Muslim world. Other cities having a record number of house churches in Iran include Rasht, Tehran and Karaj.

In Tehran there are many house churches that meet on a regular basis. One of Tehran’s Imams said in an interview, “today Christians present their gospel to our youth in the most appealing way. They gather in many neighbourhoods across the city, including Bani Hashem neighbourhood (in Tehran) where tens of homes have been turned into house churches which evangelize their neighbours”.

One of the visible effects of the Iranian government’s crackdown on Christians has been the closure of numerous churches, including the Central Assemblies of God (AOG) church and Janat Abad church in Tehran and the AOG church in Ahwaz. Additionally, Christian converts were banned from entering official churches and Farsi services were forced to cancel permanently across the country in all churches. Publication of anything related to Christianity or any material referring to Christianity was also restricted and books about Christianity already in the market were confiscated./ Farsi

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A church in Burkina Faso, where over 20% of the population is Christian. (Photo: khym54 via Flickr; CC 2.0)

Christian and Muslim leaders in Burkina Faso met last week to discuss interreligious dialogue amidst growing concerns about the spread of violent Islamic extremism in the country, reports Fides.

The landlocked West African nation, which borders Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast, is majority-Muslim (around 60%), but also has significant numbers of Christians (over 20%, the vast majority of whom are Catholics) and followers of indigenous beliefs (15%), according to the latest census (2006).

On top of a rise in violent extremism, delegates of the Second General Assembly 2018 of the Episcopal Commission for Islamic-Christian Dialogue noted an increase in radicalisation and the use of religion to drive political agendas.

“We are called to live together,” Muslim leader Iman Boureima Drobo told delegates. “We must learn to do it. It is an obligation, otherwise it will be very difficult to be happy on this earth. It is here that Paradise and eternal life are prepared. If we are not in this state of spirit in this world, it will be very difficult to obtain what God has promised us after death.”

Last month the International Crisis Group warned of an “alarming escalation of jihadist violence”, as reports emerged about a group called ‘Islamic Security’, operating from Pouytenga, 150km east of the capital Ouagadougou. The Fédération des Associations Islamiques du Burkina described the group as “the non-armed service of the local Sunni movement”, whose members were guarding mosques and other religious sites during times of worship. The group is now believed to have been disbanded.

Background

On the very same day, an Australian doctor and his wife were kidnapped in the town of Djibo, near the Mali border. Ken and Jocelyn Elliott, who are in their eighties, had worked in Burkina Faso since the 1970s. Jocelyn was released after a month, but her husband, who was declared a citizen of the West African nation by an official decree in November 2016, is still missing.

It is believed that he is being held outside of Burkina Faso. In July 2017, he appeared in a video produced by his kidnappers, along with several other Western kidnap hostages. On it, he said: “This video is to ask various governments, in particular the Australian government and Burkina government, to do what they can to help negotiate my release.” Addressing his family, he added: “I just want to say, again, I love you all and I appreciate all your prayers and all your cares. I look forward to one day being reunited.”

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(Voice of the Persecuted) American Pastor Andrew Brunson critically needs our prayers. Brunson has lived in Turkey for over 23 years and served as the pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church. He loves the Turkish people and along with his wife, raised 3 children in the country. But he’s been wrongfully accused and facing a 35 yr. prison term if he’s found guilty. 35 years would be a life sentence for the 50 yr. old pastor.

After what has been described as a historically long day of trial of nearly 13 hours, on April 16th, Pastor Brunson clearly answered questions and gave 6 hours of testimony in his defense. It was reported at one point during the trial he broke down in tears. His wife says it was a crushing blow for Andrew when he learned that he would be taken back to the harsh prison where he had lost 50 lbs. They had hoped Andrew would be released to go home under house arrest. His trial is scheduled to continue on May 7, 2018.

A prayer request was sent yesterday by his wife,

“PLEASE PRAY THAT HE BE MOVED BACK [to less harsh prison] UNTIL THE NEXT HEARING, AND PRAY FOR MUCH NEEDED GRACE. I SAW HIM TODAY AND HE IS NOT DOING WELL AT ALL. THIS IS A PRESSING NEED!”

Praise God, that prayer has been answer! Early this morning, we received news that Andrew has been moved to the Buca prison.

Brothers and Sisters,

The Apostle Peter, like Andrew Brunson, was kept in prison as the early church was fervently praying to God for him….Acts 12:5

Peter’s imprisonment by King Herod seemed like a pretty impossible situation for the first century church. After the martyrdom of James, Herod arrested Peter and had him bound with chains. He also ordered 4 squads of 4 soldiers each to guard Peter’s cell. Sixteen soldiers to watch one unarmed man.

The early church had no political leverage with the Roman or Jewish government. There were no advocacy groups that they could appeal to for Peter’s release. It was pactically a given fact that Peter would surely be executed just as James was.

But the early church had one powerful weapon at its disposal. A weapon that they consistently used to see miracles and signs and wonders go forth. A weapon that won much of the Western Mediterranean to the Lord Jesus Christ in the first century. That weapon was prayer.

The first century Christians realized the imprisonment of Peter was a spiritual battle. As such, they employed spiritual weapons that were powerful against Satan. The enemy who is spiritual can only be defeated by spiritual weapons.

Paul speaks of the weapons that are at our disposal in 1 Corinthians 10:3-4,

For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are divinely powerful through God for the destruction of strongholds.

The first century Church realized they were in a spiritual war. Consequently, they employed their most powerful weapon to secure the release of Peter. As you read the story, you will see how Peter was released through an angel. When Peter was knocking at the door the praying saints could not believe that he had been released from prison. Though they were no doubt praying for it.

Today we are in that same spiritual battle regarding our brother Andrew Brunson. Advocates are saying that it would take an intervention of God to release Andrew Brunson. It seems likely that the Turkish Court will put this brother in prison and throw away the key. But we believe our God is still in the miracle-working business. We do believe that God hear our prayers. James writing in his letter says,

The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful and can accomplish much….James 5:16

The outcome of our brother’s trial is not in the hands of the Turkish government. The outcome is in the hands of God.

We, along with other global ministries have initiated an 24-hour Prayer Conference Call at this critical time for Pastor Brunson. We invite you to join with us the weekend of May 5th – May 6th to cry out the victory of Jesus Christ for Andrew Brunson, for God to be glorified and His will to be done in this trial and the life of Pastor Brunson. Please consider joining us as we pray for his forthcoming release. Call details below

We believe prayer works. Stay on the call 5 minutes, 5 hours, or as long as you feel led. Your prayers make a huge difference in the lives of our brother, Andrew and the persecuted around the world.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Location: Any location from your phone

When: Begins May 5, 2018 – May 6, 2018

Length of call: 24 Hours (Note: You’re not required to commit to 24 hours. Come on the call and pray as your time allows.)

Time of the Call:

9 p.m.- 9 p.m. Eastern time

8 p.m.-8 p.m. Central time

7 p.m.-7 p.m. Mountain time

6 p.m.-6 p.m. Pacific time

Call number: 712.775.7035

Access code: 281207#

MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier.Google Play link or App Store – iTunes

Available International Conference Call Numbers

(Note: If you will be using one of the call numbers below, you may experience issues in your country. If you are unable to connect, try using the VoIP dialer available at this link. Click on VoIP dialer, go to this number 712-775-7035 in the drop down menu—enter access code 281207 (do not add the # symbol)—enter your name and click on the ‘Place Call’ button.

Australia +61 (0) 3 8672 0185

Austria +43 (0) 732 2781155

Belgium +32 (0) 9 324 29 17

Brazil +55 61 4040-4314

Bulgaria +359 (0) 2 495 1527

Canada (712) 775-7060

Chile +56 (0) 44 890 9161

China +86 (0) 510 6801 0117

Costa Rica +506 4000 3885

Croatia +385 (0) 1 8000 065

Cyprus +357 77 788854

Czech +420 225 852 060

Denmark +45 78 77 36 35

Dominican Republic (829) 999-2585

Estonia +372 614 8061

Finland +358 (0) 9 74790032

France +33 (0) 1 80 14 00 56

GCC/Arabian Peninsula +973 1656 8325

Georgia +995 (0) 706 777 110

Germany +49 (0) 89 143772955

Guatemala +502 2458 1416

Hungary +36 1 987 6821

Iceland +354 539 0323

Indonesia +62 (0) 21 51388813

Ireland +353 (0) 1 437 0318

Israel +972 (0) 76-599-0026

Italy +39 06 8997 2187

Japan +81 (0) 3-5050-5075

Kenya +254 (0) 20 5231033

Latvia +371 67 881 516

Lithuania +370 (8) 37 248962

Luxembourg +352 20 30 10 03

Malaysia +60 (0) 11-1146 0070

Mexico +52 (01) 899 274 5015

Netherlands +31 (0) 6 35205061

Nigeria +234 (0) 1 440 5221

Norway +47 21 93 53 35

Pakistan +92 (0) 21 37130640

Panama +507 838-7821

Poland +48 32 739 96 40

Portugal +351 21 114 3145

Romania +40 (0) 31 780 7760

Slovakia +421 2 333 255 32

Slovenia +386 (0) 1 828 03 25

South Africa +27 (0) 87 825 0107

South Korea +82 (0) 70-7686-0015

Spain +34 931 98 23 70

Sri Lanka +94 (0) 11 5 322961

Sweden +46 (0) 31 781 06 26

Switzerland +41 (0) 43 550 70 55

Taiwan +886 (0) 985 646 917

Turkey +90 (0) 212 988 1713

Ukraine +380 (0) 89 323 9978

United Kingdom +44 (0) 330 606 0527

United States (712) 775-7035

Vietnam +84 (0) 4 7108 0080

(Though not expected, due to circumstances beyond our control, connection may be lost. Simply call again to rejoin the call. Please let us know if you were unsuccessful getting on the call so we can address the issue with technical support.)

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Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason. They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!

Andrew Brunson, is standing trial on terrorism-related charges and Christianization. He faces up to 35 years in prison which could be considered as a life sentence for Pastor Brunson, who is now. 50 yr., denies all charges.

Brunson’s supporters say Turkey is using Brunson as a bargaining chip for Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric living who in exile in Pennsylvania. Turkish officials claim Gulen is the mastermind of the 2016 coup attempt. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has demanded that the Trump administration to extradite Fethullah Gulen in return for releasing Andrew Brunson. Erdogan has been quoted as saying, “You have a pastor too. You give us that one and we’ll work with our judiciary and give back yours.” The statement suggests Brunson would not be released until after he’s tried in court. A case which could linger on for years.

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(Morning Star News) – A court in Omdurman, Sudan on Wednesday (April 11) charged four Christians who defended church property from a takeover by a Muslim business interest, sources said.

Azhari Tumbara, Muna Matta, George Adam and Kudi Abderhman last year tried to keep authorities from seizing Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) property in Khartoum. Judge Adam Babiker charged the Christians with causing physical harm to police and supporters of a Muslim businessman who tried to take control of church school property in April 2017, the Rev. Yahia Abdelrahim Nalu, SPEC moderator, told Morning Star News.

If found guilty under Article 142 of the Sudan Penal Code, the four Christians could be sentenced to a fine and a prison term of up to six months, said Attorney Adam Abu Anja, their legal counsel. Anja said he doubted they would receive the maximum sentence.

“I am confident – the charges are not that serious,” Anja told Morning Star News. “We have enough witnesses that, if they are convicted, they might be fined, that is all.”

A verdict could come at the next hearing on Monday (April 16).

On April 3, 2017, church elder Younan Abdullah died from injuries sustained in the raid by authorities and the Muslim business interest’s supporters on the school in Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum. Abdullah, an elder with Bahri Evangelical Church, died in a hospital after being stabbed while he and others were defending women at the Evangelical School of Sudan, SPEC sources told Morning Star News.

He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Acquitted

At the same hearing on Wednesday (April 11), the judge cleared five church leaders accused in the church takeover case, including Pastor Nalu.

On Feb. 5 a court in Sudan fined seven church leaders who fought the takeover of the school in Omdurman for “objection to authorities,” a church leader said. The court fined SPEC elder Yohanna Tia 5,000 Sudanese Pounds (US$275).

Tia was one of 26 church leaders who appeared in court over a two-week span in the case. Seven church leaders were ordered to pay fines of 2,500 Sudanese pounds (US$137) each, and 19 were freed for lack of evidence, according to Pastor Nalu.

Two pastors – the Rev. Dawoud Fadul, SPEC moderator, and Pastor Kartina – were also fined 2,500 Sudanese pounds each. Church elders Adam George, Bolus Tutu and one identified only as Azhari were also fined, along with school director Ustaz Dauod Musa Namnam.

On Aug. 15, 2017, police raided Pastor Nalu’s home and another belonging to SPEC leader. They evicted the families of Pastor Nalu and the Rev. Sidiq Abdalla, a SPEC pastor who has two children, ages 8 and 10. Pastor Nalu has a 1-year-old boy.

The action was considered part of the government-aided bid by Muslim businessman Hisham Hamad Al-Neel to take over church property. Police told the pastors they were carrying out a court order.

Leadership of SPEC remains in the hands of government-appointed committee members even after a court ruled in November 2016 that the appointments were illegal, sources said.

The Evangelical School of Sudan is one of several SPEC schools throughout Sudan.

In its campaign to rid the country of Christianity, church leaders say, Sudan has designated at least 25 church buildings for destruction.

Harassment, arrests and persecution of Christians have intensified since the secession of South Sudan in July 2011. The Sudanese Minister of Guidance and Endowments announced in April 2013 that no new licenses would be granted for building new churches in Sudan, citing a decrease in the South Sudanese population.

Sudan since 2012 has expelled foreign Christians and bulldozed church buildings on the pretext that they belonged to South Sudanese. Besides raiding Christian bookstores and arresting Christians, authorities threatened to kill South Sudanese Christians who do not leave or cooperate with them in their effort to find other Christians.

Sudan fought a civil war with the south Sudanese from 1983 to 2005, and in June 2011, shortly before the secession of South Sudan the following month, the government began fighting a rebel group in the Nuba Mountains that has its roots in South Sudan.

Due to its treatment of Christians and other human rights violations, Sudan has been designated a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. State Department since 1999, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended the country remain on the list in its 2017 report.

Sudan ranked fourth on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2018 World Watch List of countries where Christians face most persecution.

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UCN News shared with Voice of the Persecuted a report of a mysterious fire that damaged a Protestant church in a Pakistani town rocked by blasphemy protests two months ago.

Gospel of Jesus Mission Church is in a narrow street of a Christian basti (slum) in Shahdara town near Lahore, the capital of Punjab province.

The remains of burnt holy books, an offering bag and a chimta (music tongs) lay near the half-melted pulpit of the building, which has been under construction for more than three years.

Pastor Yousaf Aziz John filed a police complaint on April 15 at Shahdara police station, where a peace agreement between local clerics and Christian leaders was signed on Feb. 21 after an angry mob protested against Patras Masih, 18, who allegedly shared an anti-Islam photo on Facebook.

“We are a poor community and had been building the House of God with donations. We strongly believe that unknown miscreants have committed this evil. The losses amount to about 50,000 rupees (US$430). We demand an immediate remedy for the wounds of the whole Christian community,” Pastor John told ucanews.com.

Police sub-inspector Rana Amir visited the site on April 16 and recorded statements from the community.

“The forensics department collected samples the same night. A report will be released this week revealing the cause of the fire. A security plan has been chalked for the 14 churches of Shahdara registered with the police station, but no forces are appointed for unregistered ones,” he said.

Churches not registered with the Auqaf Department, which supervises important religious monuments and holy places, are deemed illegal by the government. In January, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province closed but later reopened six home-based churches in Abbottabad.

Police have warned that they will not take any responsibility for any mishaps at prayer gatherings in residential areas. Home-based churches are common in Christian ghettos and their surroundings. Youhanabad, the largest Christian settlement in Pakistan, has more than 100 unregistered churches usually comprising a single room or a hall.

Khalid Shahzad, a Catholic activist based in Shahdara, slammed police for filing the Shahdara case as an accidental fire.

“Only the sections regarding vandalism and loss of property have been nominated in the first information police report. They deliberately skipped the blasphemy clause 295 which deals with acts intended to insult religion or religious beliefs of others. This loophole will help in bail for the accused if arrested,” he said.

“The community was already living in fear after the recent blasphemy case in an adjoining village.” Read more

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